Friday, 16/10/2026

Friday, 16/10/2026

Sweet mangosteen season among century-old orchards along Saigon River

Thursday, 02:02, 11/06/2026

VOV.VN - Lai Thieu, now part of Ho Chi Minh City, has long been known as the land of mangosteen. Renowned for its delicate sweetness balanced by a hint of tartness, thin rind and thick flesh, Lai Thieu mangosteen has been named among Vietnam's top 50 specialty fruits.

Lai Thieu's mangosteen harvest season runs from May to July each year. Many orchards in Thuận An are home to trees that are several decades to more than a century old, with growers now entering the busiest time of the season as the fruit ripens.

Lai Thieu mangosteens are not particularly large, but are known for their firm stems and thin rind. The ideal harvest time is when the fruit's skin turns a reddish-pink hue or begins to develop purple spots.

To prepare for a day of harvesting, growers use bamboo poles measuring between three and more than five metres in length, fitted with baskets or specialised hooks to carefully pick fruit from tall trees.

Harvesting mangosteens requires both stamina and care. Growers climb high into the trees and carefully select fruit at the right stage of ripeness, taking care not to disturb unripe mangosteens nearby.

Mangosteens are gathered into baskets as they are harvested. To ensure no ripe fruit is overlooked, workers bend down to inspect the ground carefully, parting thick layers of fallen leaves beneath the trees, where dark-purple mangosteens can easily blend into the colour of the soil.

Mangosteens are taken to a clearing in the orchard for sorting. Nguyen Quang Tro, owner of a mangosteen orchard in Thuan An Ward, says this year's crop is both abundant and fetching good prices, leaving growers delighted.

Large, well-rounded mangosteens with smooth skin and optimal ripeness are graded as Class 1 and sold for VND110,000 per kilogram. The remaining fruit is sorted into lower grades, with Class 2 priced at VND80,000 per kilogram and Class 3, depending on size, sold for VND60,000 per kilogram or less.

Beneath the deep-purple rind are snowy-white segments with a delicate balance of sweetness and acidity, a speciality that has helped make mangosteen the “king of fruits” in southern Vietnam. Thanks to its outstanding quality, Lai Thieu mangosteen is highly sought after in the market, sparing growers concerns about finding buyers for their produce.

In addition to selling through social media platforms, traders and orchard owners set up small roadside stalls outside their orchards, offering baskets of freshly picked mangosteens to visitors.

According to local residents, mangosteen has long been a high-value specialty crop and the main source of income for many households. However, the region once known as the capital of mangosteen faces the risk of losing its orchards as cultivation areas continue to shrink, from more than 600 hectares to just 265 hectares. Part of the decline is attributed to rapid urbanisation, with land being cleared for major infrastructure projects such as Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road 3 and the Saigon River road.

The decline in orchard areas has also been driven by water pollution, which has left many trees weakened and dying. As they watch their orchards gradually wither, local growers hope relevant agencies will step in soon with solutions to restore water quality, save the remaining trees and preserve this green space for the area.

Binh Duong expands production of specialty mangosteens

Binh Duong expands production of specialty mangosteens

Local authorities in southern Binh Duong province’s Thuan An town are taking steps to promote the area’s famous Lai Thieu mangosteen, a fruit specialty cultivated since the 19th century.

Mangosteen hit US and Australian supermarket shelves

Mangosteen hit US and Australian supermarket shelves

VOV.VN - Vietnam mangosteens and lychees have been licenced to enter the US and Australia. This is a good sign for the fruit and vegetable sector.

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